Question

Why did the Zamindars of Bengal borrow money from bankers and moneylenders?

Answer 1

Hint:
Zamindars of Bengal were not able to pay the revenue. They were forced to sell their lands if unable to pay the revenue.


Complete answer:
Zamindar means Land owner in Persian Language. Lord Cornwallis introduced the Zamindari system in Bengal in the year 1793. He introduced it through the Permanent Settlement system. In the Bengal region the Zamindars were influential in the administrative provinces. Murshid Quli Khan was the Naib of the province although he was never a formal Subadar but he quickly seized all the power. And gradually Bengal broke away from the Mughal control. Once Murshid was in power he commanded the revenue administration of the state. He did the same like the rulers of Hyderabad and Awadh. He ordered to transfer all the Jagirdars to Orissa in order to reduce the Mughal influence in Bengal. He even ordered for the reassessment of the revenues of Bengal. All Zamindars were supposed to pay all the revenue in cash. The revenue was collected with great strictness. This resulted into a situation where many Zamindars had to ask bankers and moneylenders for money. The Zamindars who were unable to pay the revenue were then forced to sell their lands to the larger Zamindars.


Additional Information
It was in eighteenth century Bengal when the regional states were formed which led to the considerable change amongst the Zamindars. Under the rule of Alivardi Khan there was a close connection noticeable between the state and the bankers. It was under his reign that the banking house of Jagat Seth became extremely prosperous. It was observed throughout the nation that the richest bankers and merchants were gaining a stake in the new political order.


Note:
After the Mughal empire lost control over Bengal, revenue administration of the state was viewed. Now, all Zamindars were supposed to pay revenue in cash. This led to the situation where Zamindars had to ask bankers and moneylenders for money in order to pay the revenue.